Sources: Vemola Struck with Mouth Infection, Likely Out of UFC 128

Sherdog.com learned from sources close to the fighter on Tuesday afternoon that the 25-year-old prospect has been struck with a mouth infection that stemmed from a training injury. Vemola (Pictured) may have to undergo mouth surgery to combat the infection.

It is unknown at this time if the promotion is searching for a replacement for the London Shootfighters product. Vemola’s bout with Cane was slated to air on Spike TV as part of a “UFC Prelims Live” special, alongside a lightweight scrap between Anthony Njokuani and Edson Barboza.

UFC 128 will go down March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and will be headlined by a light heavyweight title tilt between reigning champion Mauricio 'Shogun" Rua and red-hot prospect Jon Jones. The evening’s main event was initially to feature Rua defending his title against Jones’ teammate, Rashad Evans. However, former champ Evans sustained a knee injury in training, and the 23-year-old “Bones” stepped up on short notice to fill the bill.

Vemola was last seen in his light heavyweight debut UFC 122, dominating Seth Petruzelli en route to a first-round TKO victory. That win followed the first loss of Vemola’s career, a unanimous decision defeat to H.I.T. Squad product Jon Madsen in Vemola’s UFC debut. Before entering the UFC, Vemola had been a monster at heavyweight, racking up seven consecutive first-round stoppage victories. Vemola’s loss to Madsen remains the only time he has ever seen the judges’ scorecards.